Nintendo and Team Ninja give Samus Aran a radical new look, but the feel is …

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Samus Aran has always been a cipher. We don't get much personality from her in the Metroid games—she's more suit than woman. We know she's capable, deadly, and strong, but the rest of it has been left to our imagination, and what we think of the character says more about us than it does about her. Do you remember the first time you saw the reflection of her eyes from within the visor in Metroid Prime? She's such a compelling figure because we don't know much about her, other than that her life has been plagued with the quest to destroy these parasites, and she's alone. We can make her face mean anything we'd like.

Metroid: Other M changes that. Now she speaks, and she shares her feelings with us. We're introduced to characters and relationships from her past and present; she reacts to them and they react to her. Her voice is interesting, and while she's still a killer, she also shows some vulnerability—she feels human, instead of like the isolated bounty hunter from games past. Some gamers are going to enjoy the look into what makes her tick, while others are going to be bitterly disappointed that so much of the mystique of the character has been stripped away. It's a bold move for such a well-defined property, and it's likely to split the fan base.

Still, back in the earlier part of the decade there was wailing and gnashing of teeth when we learned that Metroid was going first-person on the GameCube. Look at how that turned out. It doesn't hurt that this game takes place directly after the events of Super Metroid, as you can see from the retrospective video Nintendo released before the game's launch. The video also lets you hear some examples of Samus' new voice.

This game was developed by Team Ninja, and the team has done great things with the Metroid formula. Here's another subtle detail that shows that Nintendo is aiming for a broad audience with this release: most Nintendo-published games are released on Sundays, by themselves. This game is coming out on a Tuesday, along with every other game in that week. It's a small detail, but significant.

Third-person and first-person views

The game has taken a dramatic turn from its classic origins, and is now played in a combination of third-person with a shifting 3D view and first-person when the Wiimote is pointed at the screen. You can switch between the two at will, and moving to first-person helps with finding secrets, exploring the environments, and using both standard and super missiles. If you want to place a few well-aimed shots, first-person view is the place to be, although you will not be able to move while in first-person.

Our hero

It's an interesting mechanic, and if you find yourself getting stuck, the first thing you should do is switch to first-person and take a look around. What's fascinating about both options is how Nintendo and Team Ninja were able to make the Wiimote sing; I didn't find myself missing buttons or an analog stick. The controls feel tight, and are easy to use after the first few tutorials.

The combat system also works well; you have some level of auto-aim when you're in third-person mode, and when you get close to a downed enemy you're treated to a nice little kill animation that's different for each enemy. Some enemies will also grapple with you, leading to even more atmospheric combat. A quick tap in any direction when an enemy or projectile is near you and you'll be able to nimbly dodge out of the way as the action slows down for a beat. It's a neat effect that doesn't get in the way of the fast-paced nature of the combat. Boss battles are appropriately epic, and some require you to do some light puzzle-solving to move ahead. You feel like a badass throughout the game, and the mechanics feel right. This may not look like a Metroid game at first, but you'll feel at home in no time, and the new viewpoints and options fit into the world seamlessly. This is a Metroid title, through and through.